While a cabrio is clearly not of any use in this weather, it stands to reason that if anyone is selling a convertible car in the middle of the worst snow for 40 years, they are desperate to sell and you may well be surprised at the price they will take.
Salesman in dealerships normally need a good January to make up for the slow end to the year with everyone distracted by Christmas. If you like a haggle now is the time to pick up the phone and start making low offers – dealers are going to get desperate if this weather continues for another 10 days. You could even buy a car over the phone without testing it if it’s a main dealer quality car.
Here are three Cabrios that are bound to be especially cheap right now:
Saab 9-3 Cabrio
Available as a traditional ‘rag-top’ only you will know its winter every time you get it. But it soon warms up. While GM are still trying to sell or close Saab these stylish, high-performance cars are my pick every week.
Most economical: 1.9 TiD
Best used buy: 2.0t
UsedCarExpert.com common faults: 12
Used Car Expert magazine price: A 2007 2.0t with 23000 average miles should be between £11,800 and £14,800. Why not offer £10,000?
Ford Focus CC
Hideously ugly so cheap all year, but especially cheap now. Like the Peugeot it has a hard top so won’t feel like a cabrio in the winter. Underneath its the very capable and cheap to run Focus, so you shouldn’t lose out.
Most economical: 1.6TDI
Best used buy: 2.0 petrol
UsedCarExpert.com common faults: 32
Used Car Expert magazine price: A 2007 2.0 Ghia with 18000 average miles should be between £8,300 and £10,300. Why not offer £7,000?
Peugeot 308 CC
This is a fabulous car, that in the right colour and top-of the range spec, gets mistaken for a Lexus. As well as fun and thrifty engines, it has great equipment. Some have the gadget that blows warm air around your neck; much nicer than I have made it sound. Peugeot dealers always have offers on.
Most economical: 1.6 p
Best used by: 1.6 p
UsedCarExpert.com common faults: To soon to say
Used Car Expert magazine price: Only launched last year, new prices of £20,000 - £23,000 can be ignored, nearly new cars are on the market at £18,000 already with under 6,000 miles. Why not offer £17,000?